The Old-New-Old Style
Live Music
Performed by live musicians, recorded live, full of feeling and spontaneity…that’s how the day went with Andy’s Trio at Route 66 Music last week when they came in to record a demo CD.
It’s the new-old style of recording–put some musicians in a room and let them play. No interminable overdubs, no canned loops of cymbal crashes, no computerized rhythm sections–just real music, produced and recorded beautifully.
Even with only a trio, it was a busy recording session; everyone had something unique to contribute.
There’s no mistaking the sound that real music produces when it’s not looped or canned or overdubbed until it’s dead.
To the top right is Andy, master of more than many instruments but especially adept at keyboards.
To our left here is the lean mean guitar man and to the bottom right is the bass.
Radio and The Star
Just got this beautiful letter from an old buddy in Butte, MT, about a singer Dave worked with and who’s still singing his praises.
Hey, Dave.
Just wanted to let you know that I was listening to the campus radio station Monday night and Dory was interviewing Heidi Swan on his Performer’s Showcase show. It turned into over an hour of Dave Heidt lovefest. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything like it on radio. Nothing but praise, praise, praise—you as a musician, you as a person, you as a recording engineer, etc. Quite heartwarming. When they were done with the praise they told stories about the great things you’d done for or with them.
All well-deserved, it goes without saying.
And then they played a demo tape or two that you’d recorded for Heidi. It was great to hear what came out of the studio here in the good ol’ days, and I think I heard you on organ in the background….
Hope all’s well with you.
–Marshall
The Upright Outside
Just this past Labor Day, the Savoy Rhythm Section was invited to play at the annual labor picnic in Albuquerque. It was a wonderful day, perfect weather, good food, great people. 
The band played two sets, each lasting about an hour. There were some fine dancers, some special requests, and a lot of appreciation.
We all loved playing at such a well-prepared event. The only difficulty when you’re play at such big outdoor gigs is getting the equipment from here to there. But some bass players are old-hands at innovation and have no trouble improvising at all.
Bravo to all.
Odes to Old Friends and Special Guests
Some recording sessions are unforgettable. This picture below is a snapshot of a moment in the making with Angie Paulsen. It was astonishing to hear the voice that came out of such an angelic, fine young woman. But there are no accidents. Her specialty–Christian music. Pop with a touch of gospel and enough punch to bring tears to Tyson eye’s. Whatever grace it is that makes someone a star, Angie has it.
And then there was the George Groesbech Trio. Pure genius with a touch of Art Carney. It’s hard to get a better–or funnier–session with anyone. The music–from jazz to jumpin’ to sweet, old standards– was always perfect. As was George. A better musician can’t be found.
This session was done with Judith Acosta for a hypnotic CD with original music we created especially for the project, entitled The Inevitability of Healing. She said she’d seen engineers fall asleep at their consoles during hypnotic sessions before. We managed to stay awake, but we haven’t been sick since.
Richie Cole and Alto Madness!
It was a fantastic day at Route 66 Music, with one of the all-time jazz greats stopping in to record a CD-full of jazz and swing. With an ensemble of 9 unbelievable musicians from New Mexico playing, we recorded a day to remember. The pictures tell a better story than words can. The singer below is the talented Marilyn Priddy.
It started early in the morning and they sailed right into the afternoon seamlessly. These were true pros in every sense of the word. They were fast and furious in all the right places, easy-going, and nearly flawless. What’s an engineer to do? Listen carefully and keep his hands on the wheel.
It went from great to better all day.
Everyone was poised for perfection. Some serious moments with Marilyn Priddy making music.
Another Gig at El Meson
This was a Friday night in Santa Fe, all cool jazz, all class.
Jammin’ at The Lazy Lizard
We’d only been here for a few months, but Dave’s reputation as a bass player started to spread quick. Here he’s playing with The Washboard Rhythm and Blues Band.
Recording Studio in the Works!
Weeks and weeks of dust and noise in the sound studio are finally behind us but not forgotten.
That picture is of the new isolation booth to the left of the recording studio’s control room.
The one below is of the sound-proofing for one of the recording studio’s walls.
Building a studio from ground up is one thing, but building it from roof down is another. It was a ton of work!
By late August, we had our first session, with more recording sessions and music lessons already scheduled!
